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WGU D312 Anatomy and Physiology I ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
| Objective Assessment OA | Systems-Based
Integration | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Domain: Foundational Concepts & Tissues (12 Questions)
Q1: The type of transport that moves substances against their concentration gradient using ATP,
such as the sodium-potassium pump, is called:
A. Osmosis
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport [CORRECT]
D. Filtration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Active transport requires cellular energy (ATP) to move molecules or ions against
their concentration gradient (from low to high concentration). The Na+/K+ pump is a classic
example, maintaining electrochemical gradients essential for nerve impulse transmission and
muscle contraction. Osmosis (A) is passive water movement down concentration gradients.
Facilitated diffusion (B) is passive transport using carrier proteins. Filtration (D) is pressure-
driven passive movement, such as in kidney glomeruli.
Q2: Which organic compound serves as the primary energy source for cellular metabolism and is
the monomer for glycogen, starch, and cellulose?
A. Amino acids
B. Fatty acids
C. Monosaccharides (simple sugars) [CORRECT]
D. Nucleotides
Correct Answer: C
,2
Rationale: Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) are the building blocks of
carbohydrates and the primary fuel for cellular respiration. Glucose is stored as glycogen in
animals and starch in plants. Amino acids (A) build proteins. Fatty acids (B) are lipid
components for energy storage and membranes. Nucleotides (D) compose DNA/RNA and ATP.
Q3: [Select ALL that apply] Which of the following are components of the cell membrane's fluid
mosaic model?
A. Phospholipid bilayer [CORRECT]
B. Integral proteins [CORRECT]
C. Peripheral proteins [CORRECT]
D. Cholesterol [CORRECT]
E. Cell wall
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane as a dynamic phospholipid
bilayer (A) with embedded integral proteins (B), attached peripheral proteins (C), and cholesterol
(D) that modulates fluidity. The cell wall (E) is external to the membrane in plants, fungi, and
bacteria—not a component of the animal cell membrane itself.
Q4: A patient has a blood pH of 7.25. Which statement accurately describes this condition?
A. The patient is alkalotic; pH is above normal range
B. The patient is acidotic; pH is below normal range [CORRECT]
C. The patient has normal blood pH
D. The pH cannot be determined without knowing the PCO2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal blood pH is 7.35-7.45. A pH of 7.25 indicates acidosis (below normal). While
determining the cause (respiratory vs. metabolic) requires PCO2 and HCO3- values, the
classification of acidosis vs. alkalosis can be determined from pH alone. Alkalosis (A) would be
pH >7.45. Normal (C) is incorrect. The question asks about the condition described by this pH
value, not the underlying cause.
Q5: Which tissue type lines body cavities, ducts, and surfaces, and is characterized by cells
closely packed together with minimal extracellular matrix?
A. Connective tissue
B. Muscle tissue
, 3
C. Nervous tissue
D. Epithelial tissue [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Epithelial tissue covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands. Its defining
characteristics include tightly packed cells with little extracellular matrix, apical and basal
surfaces, and avascularity (no blood vessels). Connective tissue (A) has abundant matrix. Muscle
(B) contracts. Nervous tissue (C) conducts impulses.
Q6: Which type of connective tissue proper stores energy, insulates, and cushions organs?
A. Dense regular connective tissue
B. Reticular connective tissue
C. Adipose tissue [CORRECT]
D. Hyaline cartilage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adipose tissue (fat) is a specialized loose connective tissue that stores triglycerides for
energy, provides thermal insulation, and cushions organs against mechanical shock. Dense
regular tissue (A) forms tendons. Reticular tissue (B) supports lymphoid organs. Hyaline
cartilage (D) covers bone ends and supports respiratory structures.
Q7: The process by which a cell engulfs large particles or even whole cells is called:
A. Pinocytosis ("cell drinking")
B. Phagocytosis ("cell eating") [CORRECT]
C. Exocytosis
D. Simple diffusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phagocytosis involves membrane extensions (pseudopods) surrounding and engulfing
large particles, bacteria, or cellular debris. Macrophages and neutrophils are professional
phagocytes. Pinocytosis (A) takes in fluid and dissolved solutes. Exocytosis (C) exports
materials. Simple diffusion (D) is passive movement of small molecules.
Q8: Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis and is often described as studded with
ribosomes?
A. Golgi apparatus
WGU D312 Anatomy and Physiology I ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027
| Objective Assessment OA | Systems-Based
Integration | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Domain: Foundational Concepts & Tissues (12 Questions)
Q1: The type of transport that moves substances against their concentration gradient using ATP,
such as the sodium-potassium pump, is called:
A. Osmosis
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport [CORRECT]
D. Filtration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Active transport requires cellular energy (ATP) to move molecules or ions against
their concentration gradient (from low to high concentration). The Na+/K+ pump is a classic
example, maintaining electrochemical gradients essential for nerve impulse transmission and
muscle contraction. Osmosis (A) is passive water movement down concentration gradients.
Facilitated diffusion (B) is passive transport using carrier proteins. Filtration (D) is pressure-
driven passive movement, such as in kidney glomeruli.
Q2: Which organic compound serves as the primary energy source for cellular metabolism and is
the monomer for glycogen, starch, and cellulose?
A. Amino acids
B. Fatty acids
C. Monosaccharides (simple sugars) [CORRECT]
D. Nucleotides
Correct Answer: C
,2
Rationale: Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) are the building blocks of
carbohydrates and the primary fuel for cellular respiration. Glucose is stored as glycogen in
animals and starch in plants. Amino acids (A) build proteins. Fatty acids (B) are lipid
components for energy storage and membranes. Nucleotides (D) compose DNA/RNA and ATP.
Q3: [Select ALL that apply] Which of the following are components of the cell membrane's fluid
mosaic model?
A. Phospholipid bilayer [CORRECT]
B. Integral proteins [CORRECT]
C. Peripheral proteins [CORRECT]
D. Cholesterol [CORRECT]
E. Cell wall
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane as a dynamic phospholipid
bilayer (A) with embedded integral proteins (B), attached peripheral proteins (C), and cholesterol
(D) that modulates fluidity. The cell wall (E) is external to the membrane in plants, fungi, and
bacteria—not a component of the animal cell membrane itself.
Q4: A patient has a blood pH of 7.25. Which statement accurately describes this condition?
A. The patient is alkalotic; pH is above normal range
B. The patient is acidotic; pH is below normal range [CORRECT]
C. The patient has normal blood pH
D. The pH cannot be determined without knowing the PCO2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal blood pH is 7.35-7.45. A pH of 7.25 indicates acidosis (below normal). While
determining the cause (respiratory vs. metabolic) requires PCO2 and HCO3- values, the
classification of acidosis vs. alkalosis can be determined from pH alone. Alkalosis (A) would be
pH >7.45. Normal (C) is incorrect. The question asks about the condition described by this pH
value, not the underlying cause.
Q5: Which tissue type lines body cavities, ducts, and surfaces, and is characterized by cells
closely packed together with minimal extracellular matrix?
A. Connective tissue
B. Muscle tissue
, 3
C. Nervous tissue
D. Epithelial tissue [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Epithelial tissue covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands. Its defining
characteristics include tightly packed cells with little extracellular matrix, apical and basal
surfaces, and avascularity (no blood vessels). Connective tissue (A) has abundant matrix. Muscle
(B) contracts. Nervous tissue (C) conducts impulses.
Q6: Which type of connective tissue proper stores energy, insulates, and cushions organs?
A. Dense regular connective tissue
B. Reticular connective tissue
C. Adipose tissue [CORRECT]
D. Hyaline cartilage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Adipose tissue (fat) is a specialized loose connective tissue that stores triglycerides for
energy, provides thermal insulation, and cushions organs against mechanical shock. Dense
regular tissue (A) forms tendons. Reticular tissue (B) supports lymphoid organs. Hyaline
cartilage (D) covers bone ends and supports respiratory structures.
Q7: The process by which a cell engulfs large particles or even whole cells is called:
A. Pinocytosis ("cell drinking")
B. Phagocytosis ("cell eating") [CORRECT]
C. Exocytosis
D. Simple diffusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phagocytosis involves membrane extensions (pseudopods) surrounding and engulfing
large particles, bacteria, or cellular debris. Macrophages and neutrophils are professional
phagocytes. Pinocytosis (A) takes in fluid and dissolved solutes. Exocytosis (C) exports
materials. Simple diffusion (D) is passive movement of small molecules.
Q8: Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis and is often described as studded with
ribosomes?
A. Golgi apparatus
